Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Requirements of your image file:

File format

The file formats JPG and TIF can be used with WhiteWall.

File size

The file size of your image must be 0.25 megapixel (e.g. 500x500 pixel). The largest possible copy size will be calculated on the basis of the pixel size. The larger you would like to have your work produced, the higher the number of pixels must be.

Unsure what your file size allows? Let our overview help you! All sizes are general estimations. Our system will show you the maximum size of your image once the file has been uploaded. You can have your image produced to the exact inch, with the sides in the correct ratio to one another, up to this size.

The maximum size your file can be is 250MB.

Data

Only digital data can be used on WhiteWall, which means that your images were either taken using a digital camera or, in the case of analogue works, have been scanned. Please notice that due to production process the signature and text in the existing white border should have a distance of at least 0.4" to the picture frame.

If you would like to make pictures available on the WhiteWall Art Market, please do not add titles or signatures in any white or black borders your picture may have. This devalues the image in the eyes of the customer.

Works that infringe on personal or intellectual property rights are, as a general principle, not allowed.

Data editing

WhiteWall does not permit any automated data editing. Your work will therefore not be changed in any way or form without your consent.

Colour space

Your files may be uploaded in RGB as well as in CMYK. CMYK files will be converted into RGB in the production process. If a colour profile is not attached to the file, we will assume that your file has an sRGB profile.

Colour management for everyone: soft proofing

Exclusive to WhiteWall: With our free soft proofing service for the WhiteWall Art Market and your own gallery page you will be sent an e-mail containing simulations of different print results for your picture as a PDF.

Win: Read more...
Mac: Read more...

In addition to the original properties of the uploaded image you can choose from a wide range of alternative colour tones, contrasts, and levels of sharpness. This lets you see exactly what the production results will be on the paper or material selected.

If you do not have a monitor that is calibrated correctly, you can use our hard proofing service to ensure optimal results! Simply upload your picture and in the configurator select the function “Select sample”. Please enter your hard proof in a separate order. If you are happy with the sharpness, resolution, and material you can order the work you uploaded again using the normal procedure and in full size.

Colour management for professionals: ICC profiles

The goal of a consistently deployed colour management system is to ensure the most authentic reproduction of an image possible, using any printing device. For every technique WhiteWall uses to produce prints and copies there is an ICC profile available for you to download.

It is often the case that the representations on a monitor and the print results do not match exactly. This may be caused by the monitor being too bright, not having the correct calibration or profile, or insufficient hardware.

To ensure the best possible likeness between the monitor representation and the print result, it is necessary to calibrate the monitor correctly. This is best done using a monitor calibration tool (colorimeter or spectral photometer) or with the help of a reference picture.

The settings that that are chosen during the measurement process are decisive in ensuring functional colour management and will focus on issues such as the brightness and colour temperature of the sample and the preferred colour space to be used.

In most cases the following settings should be used:

• Colour temperature 6500° Kelvin
• Brightness 60-120 Candela/m²
• Gamma 2,2

If the monitor is set up correctly it is possible to view a simulation of the print results prior to the order process. This simulation is referred to as a soft proof in colour management programs.

A soft proof is understood as a colourmetric display of digital print data on a calibrated and/or profiled monitor. This procedure requires ICC display profiles, which describe the substrate to be printed in accordance with the material and colour representation properties, and therefore allow a simulation on the monitor.

Optional activation of the paper white simulation allows the colour tone of the unprinted paper to be factored in to the representation. This representation requires adaption to the brightness and illmunant on the simulated paper white, which is best achieved in full screen mode with all menus hidden.

A soft proof not only allows a preview of the expected print results, but also, if necessary, the adaption of colours to the print medium.

Soft proofing in Adobe Photoshop works as follows:

1. Download ICC profile
2. Install the profile in the operating system (in Windows – right click > profile install; in OS X – manual adjustment)

   operating system	path
   Mac OS 9	MacintoshHD:/System Folder/ColorSync Folder
   Mac OS X	MacintoshHD:/Library/ColorSync/Profiles
   Win 95, 98, 98se, ME	C:/Windows/System/Color
   Windows NT4	C:/winnt/system32/color
   Windows 2000	C:/winnt/system32/spool/drivers/color
   Windows XP, Vista, 7	C:/windows/system32/spool/drivers/color

3. Start Adobe Photoshop
4. Open the file to be simulated
5. Menu > View > Proof Setup > Custom...
6. Select the profile under "Device to Simulate"
7. Don't select "Preserve RGB Numbers"
8. Render priority "Relative Colourmetric" with "Black Point Compensation"
9. Optionally you can choose "Simulate Paper Color"
10. Confirm the process with OK
11. Always judge your colors in fullscreen mode on a solid grey background

The soft proof is now active for the picture opened. The key combination ctrl + y turns this on and off

It may also be helpful to show the colour range warning (SHIFT+CTRL + Y). This highlights tones that are outside of the paper’s print range. This makes it possible to optimise larger colour ranges to the colour range of the particular printing device.

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